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Workplace issues, Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA), Workplace Safety, Public Health, Environment and Political Information that everyone should know.

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Tuesday, September 26, 2006

OSHA Had Visited Philadelphia Fatality Site Twice

OSHA had inspected the Symphony House construction, where construction worker Jeffrey Martin fell to his death last week, two times this summer, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. Both complaints that led to the inspections were about fall protection. One of the inspections led to a 2,500 fine against Fabi Construction of Egg Harbor Township, N.J. , although the company is contesting the citation.

Meanwhile, more clues are coming in about the cause of Martin's death:

Attorneys representing Martin's family said the cables intended to prevent falls were cut on at least three floors apparently to make way for duct work. The cables were reattached, they said, but were improperly secured.

"What is clear is that the top cable, which would be the critical component of the safety barricade, had been cut at multiple levels," Center City attorney Robert J. Mongeluzzi said.

"The barricade has to withstand the weight of a person who might fall against it," he said. "In this case it didn't. Whoever cut that cable cut this guy's chance of living."

Mongeluzzi said someone on the site should have noticed the cable had been jury-rigged. He was on site Thursday along with attorney Dan Schwarz and a team of experts.

Fabi Construction, the same company that killed four workers and injured 21 when five stories of parking garage collapsed at the Tropicana Casino & Resort in Atlantic City in October 2003.